Weld coupon destructive test device

ABSTRACT

A weld coupon destructive test device includes a support base. A plunger connected to the support base and movable between a first position and a second position along a length of the support base. A handle to operate the plunger between the first position and the second position. A header on the support base, the header configured to press a weld coupon between the header and the plunger, the header having a first support end and a second support end, the header having a depression formed between the first support end and the second support end. The weld coupon rests between the first support end and the second support end of the header, and the weld coupon is pressed into the depression formed between the first support end and the second support end of the header.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/256,345 filed Jan. 24, 2019 for “Weld Coupon Destructive Test Device”of Tracy Williamson, which claims the priority benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/623,853 filed Jan. 30, 2018 for“Weld Coupon Destructive Test Unit” of Tracy Williamson, each herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forthherein.

BACKGROUND

Metal fabrication often requires certification of the welds quality tobe determined. After a weld is completed the weld is cut to a sizedcoupon for bending or breaking for inspection purposes. The devicebending and breaking the coupons is often powered by electricity, air,or hydraulics due to the force required to bend a metal weld coupon. Nodevice currently exists to perform the bending and breaking of the weldcoupon without the use of external power sources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example weld coupon destructive testdevice.

FIGS. 2-4 and 5A-G are component views of an example weld coupondestructive test device.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate example operations of the weld coupon destructivetest device to bend a weld coupon.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate example operations of the weld coupon destructivetest device to bend and break a weld coupon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example weld coupon destructive test device is disclosed which may beimplemented in a machine shop and/or in the field. In a machine shop,the device may be mounted on a workbench or other suitable base. In thefield, the device may be mounted to a hitch mount on a truck or othersuitable base (mobile or stationary). In an example, the weld coupondestructive test device can be operated manually, without need for anexternal power source.

A weld coupon destructive test device includes a support base. A plungeris connected to the support base and is movable along a length of thesupport base by a handle mounted to rotate on a pivot base on thesupport base. A header on the support base has a guide surfaceconfigured to press a weld coupon between the guide surface and the headof the plunger. A guide shoe is configured to fit against the guidesurface of the header, the curved guide shoe has a first face and asecond face, the first face is curved to conform to the head on theplunger, and the second face is curved to conform to the curved guidesurface of the header. The handle is operable in a slotted bar to breaka weld coupon under pressure.

An example weld coupon destructive test device includes a detachablehandle, the necessary bend guide surfaces and plunger, the mountassembly, the “nick break” attachment, and the mechanism to guide theforce to the plunger. In an example, the guide shoe is fixed onto thehousing and the plunger is pivotally mounted to the housing.

The plunger is operable between an open position and a closed position.In the open position, a weld coupon is inserted against the guide shoesand prepared for operation. The plunger is then pivoted into a closedposition, for example by a user pressing (or lifting) on a handle. Thismotion causes the plunger to press the weld coupon against the guideshoes to form a desired shape.

In an example, the guide shoes and plunger are provided as a set. Forexample, a guide shoes and plunger may be provided as shown in thedrawings to produce a substantially U-shaped weld coupon. The guideshoes and plunger are interchangeable with other guide shoes andplungers to produce different shapes in the weld coupons. Other shapedweld coupons may be produced according to the mating shapes of the guideshoes and plunger provided.

The weld coupon destructive test device may be lightweight and portable.The device can be readily transported and operated by an individualuser. The device does not require electricity or hydraulics to operate,making it robust under a variety of operating conditions. The device isgenerally safe, if proper operating procedures are followed, as the onlypressure is by human application. It is fast to and easy to operate withlittle or no training.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes”and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including”and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on”means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example weld coupon destructive testdevice 10. The device 10 can be implemented to bend and/or break a weldcoupon 1 (see, e.g., FIG. 6 ). The device 10 can be readily installed inany suitable location, such as but not limited to, on a workbench or ona hitch receiver on a truck.

An example weld coupon destructive test device 10 includes a supportbase 12. The support base 12 may have a mount(s) for mounting thesupport base to a workbench, vehicle, or other desired location. Aplunger 14 is mounted on the support base 12. A handle 16 is provided tooperate the plunger 14 between a first position (e.g., lower position asshown in FIG. 6 ) and a second position (e.g., raised position as shownin FIG. 8 ) along a length of the support base (e.g., as illustrated inFIGS. 6-8 ). The handle may be removable, e.g., so that it can also beused to break a weld coupon, as shown in FIGS. 9-10 .

A header 18 is provided on the support base 12. The header 18 has aguide surface 20 configured to press a weld coupon 1 between the guidesurface 20 and the plunger 14. The plunger 14 is movable to the firstposition (e.g., FIG. 6 ) for inserting the weld coupon 1 against theheader 18. The plunger 14 is then movable to the second position (e.g.,FIGS. 6-8 ) so that the plunger presses the weld coupon 1 against theheader 18 to bend and/or form a desired shape of the weld coupon 1(e.g., as shown in FIG. 8 ).

In an example, the plunger 14 has a curved head 15. The header 18 has aguide surface 20 conforming to the head 15 on the plunger 14. The guidesurface 20 may be curved. The head 15 may also be curved. A guide shoe22 may be provided, having a first face 24 and a second face 26. Thefirst face 24 conforms to (e.g., is curved in FIG. 1 to match) the head15 on the plunger 14. The second face 26 also conforms to (e.g., iscurved in FIG. 1 to match) the curved guide surface 20 of the header 18.

In an example, the plunger 14 is mounted to a receiver 17 for the handle16. The receiver 17 is linked to the plunger 14 via a pivot 30 (e.g., apin or a bolt). The receiver 17 pivotally mounted to a pivot base 28,e.g., via a pivot 32 such as a pin or bolt. The pivot base 28 is mountedto the support base 12.

In an example, a fence 34 may be provided on a head portion 15 of theplunger 14. The fence 34 retains the weld coupon 1 against the supportbase 12 as the weld coupon 1 is pressed between the header 18 and theplunger 14, e.g., so that the weld coupon 1 does not pop off and outtoward the operator.

In an example, the guide shoe 22 and head 15 of the plunger 14 areinterchangeable with another guide shoe and head of the plunger. Theguide shoe may have a different shape inner surface 24, e.g., to producedifferent shape weld coupons. In an example, the head 15 of the plunger14 may also include different, interchangeable shapes.

FIGS. 2-4 and 5A-G are component views of an example weld coupondestructive test device 10. FIG. 2 shows a side view of support base 12,plunger 14, head 15, receiver 17, and header 18 of the example weldcoupon destructive test device 10. FIG. 3 shows a front view of supportbase 12, head 15, receiver 17, header 18, and pivot base 28 of theexample weld coupon destructive test device 10. FIG. 4 shows a top viewof support base 12, pivot base 28, and stop mechanism 40 of the exampleweld coupon destructive test device 10.

FIG. 5A shows a front view 12 a, top view 12 b, and side view of anexample support base 12. FIG. 5B shows a front view 18 a and top view 18b of an example header 18. FIG. 5C shows a front view 15 a and top view15 b of an example head 15. FIG. 5D shows a front view 22′a and top view22′b of an example insert 22′ for the guide shoe 22. FIG. 5E shows afront view 22 a and top view 22 b of an example guide shoe 22. FIG. 5Fshows a side view 28 a, and top view 28 b-c of an example pivot base 28.FIG. 5G shows a side view 17 a, and top view 17 b of an example end ofthe handle 17.

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described aboveare provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to belimiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized tocarry out the operations described herein.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate example operations of the weld coupon destructivetest device to bend a weld coupon. Operating the handle 16 rotates thereceiver 17 about the pivot 32 on the pivot base 28, and causes theplunger 14 to move between the first position (e.g., retracted from theheader 18 or downward) and the second position (e.g., raised toward theheader 18 or upward).

In an example, a stop mechanism 40 may be provided on the pivot base 28to prevent the receiver 17, and thus the handle 16, from being movedbeyond a preset location defined by the stop mechanism 40.

Movement of the handle 16 in a first direction (e.g., down in FIGS. 6and 7 ) causes the plunger 14 to move in a second direction (e.g., up inFIGS. 6 and 7 ) that is opposite to the first direction and moves theplunger 14 toward the header 18 on the support base 28 (to the positionshown in FIG. 8 ). Likewise, movement of the handle 16 in the oppositedirection (e.g., up in FIG. 1 ) causes the plunger 14 to move in theopposite direction (e.g., down in FIG. 1 ) and moves the plunger 14 awayfrom the header 18 on the support base 12.

Example operation includes setup, wherein a guide shoe 22 and plunger 14are selected, along with a weld coupon 1 to be worked on. Duringoperation, the weld coupon 1 to be worked on is inserted into the device10 between the guide shoe 22 and plunger 14. The handle 16 is operatedby the user to press down and bend the sample between the guide shoe 22and plunger 14. Generally, the plunger 14 is the portion that is beingmoved by the operator. The sample is pressed against the guide shoes 22.

The weld coupon 1 bends according to the shape of the guide shoe 22 andplunger 14 being implemented. Any suitable size and/or shape guide shoe22 and plunger 14 may be implemented to provide a wide variety ofdifferent shape press samples. The size and shape of the press samplesproduced may be based at least in part on the work being performed andthe code requirements.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate example operations of the weld coupon destructivetest device 10 to bend and break a weld coupon 1. When the weld coupon 1is to be broken, the weld coupon 1 is inserted into the appropriatelysized slot(s) 55 formed in metal bar 50 of the device 10, as illustratedin FIG. 9 . The metal bar 50 may be already inserted into a standardhitch receiver 57 on a truck or mounted on a workbench. The detachablehandle 16 is placed over the weld coupon 1 (e.g., the same opening onthe handle 16 that is positioned onto the receiver 17). Force is applieduntil the weld coupon 1 breaks or splits, as illustrated in FIG. 10 .

The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrateexample implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limitedto the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided forpurposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Stillother examples are also contemplated.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A weld coupon destructive test device,comprising: a support base; a plunger connected to the support base andmovable between a first position and a second position along a length ofthe support base; a handle to operate the plunger between the firstposition and the second position; a header on the support base, theheader configured to press a weld coupon between the header and theplunger, the header having a first support end and a second support end,the header having a depression formed between the first support end andthe second support end; wherein the weld coupon rests between the firstsupport end and the second support end of the header, and the weldcoupon is pressed into the depression formed between the first supportend and the second support end of the header.
 2. The weld coupondestructive test device of claim 1, wherein the plunger is movable tothe first position for inserting the weld coupon against the header, andthen movable to the second position so that the plunger presses the weldcoupon against the header to form a desired shape of the weld coupon. 3.The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 1, further comprising acurved head on the plunger.
 4. The weld coupon destructive test deviceof claim 3, wherein the header conforms to the curved head on theplunger.
 5. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 3, furthercomprising a guide shoe having a first face and a second face, the firstface curved to conform to the curved head on the plunger, and the secondface curved to conform to the header.
 6. The weld coupon destructivetest device of claim 1, further comprising a pivot base mounted to thesupport base, wherein the handle is mounted to rotate on the pivot base.7. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 6, wherein thehandle is linked to the plunger, wherein movement of the handle in afirst direction causes the plunger to move in a second direction that isopposite to the first direction and moves the plunger toward the headeron the support base.
 8. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim1, further comprising a stop mechanism to prevent the handle from beingmoved beyond a preset location defined by the stop mechanism.
 9. Theweld coupon destructive test device of claim 1, wherein a guide shoe andcorresponding head of the plunger are interchangeable with another guideshoe and corresponding head of the plunger to produce different shapeweld coupons.
 10. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 1,further comprising a mount on the support base to mount the support baseto a workbench or vehicle.
 11. The weld coupon destructive test deviceof claim 10, wherein the mount on the support base is configured with acoupler for a mating receiver tube of a trailer hitch assembly.
 12. Theweld coupon destructive test device of claim 1, wherein the handle isoperable in a slotted bar to break a weld coupon under pressure appliedby the handle.
 13. A weld coupon destructive test device, comprising: asupport base; a plunger connected to the support base and movablebetween a first position and a second position along a length of thesupport base; a handle to operate the plunger between the first positionand the second position; a header on the support base; a guide surfaceof the header configured to press a weld coupon between the guidesurface and the plunger, the guide surface having a first support endand a second support end, the guide surface having a depression formedbetween the first support end and the second support end; wherein theweld coupon rests between the first support end and the second supportend of the guide surface, and the weld coupon is pressed into thedepression formed between the first support end and the second supportend; and wherein the plunger is movable to the first position forinserting the weld coupon against the header, and then movable to thesecond position so that the plunger presses the weld coupon against theguide surface of the header to form a desired shape of the weld coupon.14. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 13, wherein theguide surface of the header conforms to a curved head on the plunger.15. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 13, wherein theguide shoe has a first face and a second face, the first face is curvedto conform to the head on the plunger, and the second face is curved toconform to the guide surface of the header.
 16. The weld coupondestructive test device of claim 13, further comprising a pivot base onthe support base, wherein the handle is mounted to rotate on the pivotbase.
 17. The weld coupon destructive test device of claim 16, whereinthe handle is linked to the plunger, wherein movement of the handle in afirst direction causes the plunger to move in a second direction that isopposite to the first direction and moves the plunger toward the headeron the support base.
 18. The weld coupon destructive test device ofclaim 13, wherein the handle is operable in a slotted bar to break aweld coupon under pressure applied by the handle.
 19. A weld coupondestructive test device, comprising: a support base; a plunger connectedto the support base and movable between a first position and a secondposition along a length of the support base, the plunger having a curvedhead; a handle to operate the plunger between the first position and thesecond position; a pivot base on the support base, wherein the handle ismounted to rotate on the pivot base; a header on the support base; and aguide surface of the header configured to press a weld coupon betweenthe guide surface and the plunger, the guide surface having a firstsupport end and a second support end, the guide surface having adepression formed between the first support end and the second supportend; wherein the weld coupon rests between the first support end and thesecond support end of the guide surface, and the weld coupon is pressedinto the depression formed between the first support end and the secondsupport end; and wherein the handle is linked to the plunger, whereinmovement of the handle in a first direction causes the plunger to movein a second direction that is opposite to the first direction and movesthe plunger toward the header on the support base; wherein the plungeris movable to the first position for inserting a weld coupon against theheader, and then movable to the second position so that the curved headof the plunger presses the weld coupon against the guide surface of theheader to form a corresponding curved shape of the weld coupon.
 20. Theweld coupon destructive test device of claim 19, wherein the handle isoperable in a slotted bar to break a weld coupon under pressure appliedby the handle.